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Lucy Lawless, former heroine on Xena: Warrior Princess, will be taking the stage in Hollywood as Mama Morton in Chicago. (Photo : Reuters)

Lucy Lawless, the standard bearer for strong women on television during the late 1990s, is set to conquer something other than mythical enemies in the near future, according to reports.

Lawless, 45, is set to hit the stage at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as Mama Morton, a character in the hit play Chicago. She will be joining other star cast members such as Stephen Moyer, one of the stars of HBO's True Blood and the husband of Anna Paquin. Comedian and game show host Drew Carey will also be on the stage of Chicago, as Amos.

Chicago is about two murdering women who are locked up in a prison run by Mama Morton, or Lawless. This rendition of Chicago will be directed by Brooke Shields, who herself has headlined versions of the play on Broadway and in London.

Lawless, although she cut an intimidating figure on Xena: Warrior Princess, is actually very familiar with being on stage. She has previously appeared on Broadway in a production of Grease.

An excited Lawless talked about her opportunity to participate in this iconic production in such a world-famous location. "I could not believe that they had cast Lucy from New Zealand in this iconic musical, a classical American art form, on a hallowed stage like the Hollywood Bowl and they let me [be involved]," she said. I didn't dare hope it would happen, and it bloody did. I am beyond excited." She added, "Rob Fisher is the original music director and the whole LA Philharmonic will be there, and some incredible stars ... an all-star cast ... and me."

Things continue to be looking up for Lawless, who is also rumored to be involved in The Expendables 3, the action movie franchise with an ever-expanding universe of star actors. She will join Expendables stalwarts Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, and Dolph Lundgren, as well as Jackie Chan, Nicolas Cage and Wesley Snipes.